American Advertising Awards | AAF Orange County

About the 2026 Award Show

2026 brings the masters of creativity together at Bowers Museum for an unforgettable celebration of visionary work.

Masters of Creativity gather for an unforgettable celebration of visionary work at the Bowers Museum. Join AAF Orange County for an inspiring evening honoring the ideas, craft, and innovation shaping the future of advertising.

Experience a dynamic journey through imagination, execution, and impact as we recognize the most outstanding creative work in Orange County at the AAF OC 2026 Award Show. Set within the iconic Bowers Museum, this one-night-only event brings together agencies, brands, students, and independent creatives to celebrate excellence across every discipline.

Check out the winner's

WANT MORE

TROPHIES?

Want to order duplicate trophies after the award show? Fill out the form below, email to info@aaforangecounty.com and we’ll order with the 2026 additional trophy order.

Buy More Trophies

WANT TO FORWARD
YOUR SILVER ON?

Your gold winning entries are automatically forwarded. Do not include them on this list. Only list silver winning entries that you wish to pay to have forwarded. Fill out the form below, email to info@aaforangecounty.com and we’ll forward on your award.

Forward On

Become a Sponsor for AAF OC

Want to be a sponsor? We keep operations going with the help of you!

Please contact our board of directors at info@aaforangecounty.com to discuss opportunities

and dig deeper into the downloadable sponsorship document below.

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DEADLINES & FEES

IMPORTANT DATES

Call for Entries:
October 15, 2025
Early Deadline:
January 14, 2026 at 11:59pm

Late Deadline:
January 21, 2026 at 11:59pm

Awards Gala: March 12, 2025

Venue: Bower's Museum
Tickets to come soon!
Want to be a sponsor? Contact us!

PROFESSIONAL

MEMBER FEES

Early Entry: $210 per entry

Late Entry: $250 per entry

*Late Fee applied January 15, 2026 at 12:00am

NON-MEMBER FEES

Early Entry: $250 per entry

Late Entry: $280 per entry

*Late Fee applied January 15, 2026 at 12:00am

Professional Rules & Categories

STUDENT

MEMBER FEES

Early Entry: $50 per entry

Late Entry: $60 per entry

*Late Fee applied January 15, 2026 at 12:00am

NON-MEMBER FEES

Early Entry: $65 per entry

Late Entry: $75 per entry

*Late Fee applied January 15, 2026 at 12:00am

Student Rules & Categories

Our 2026 Award Winning Judges

Virginia Porcino

Creative Director, Ignite2x

Lara Herzer

Executive Creative Director, Energy BBDO

Dana Wahlbeck

Senior Project Manager, The Chosen

Tom Woody

Business Development Manager, Freeman

Conn Newton

Freelance Copywriter/Creative Director

LOCAL-ONLY CATEGORIES

L1: The Foodie Award
The best of restaurant and/or food advertising in OC.
- This can be in any media format.
- The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.
L2: The Elevated Award
The best of cannabis and/or hemp advertising in OC.
- This can be in any media format.
- The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.
L3: Her Award
The best of advertising for women-owned businesses in OC.
- This can be in any media format.
- The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.
L4: The Automotive Award
The best of automotive advertising in OC.
- This can be in any media format.
- The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.
L5: The Gaming & Technology Award
The best of advertising for gaming and/or technology companies in OC.
- This can be in any media format.
- The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.
L6: The Apparel Award
The best of advertising for apparel brands in OC.
- This can be in any media format.
- The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.
L7: The Real Estate Award
The best of advertising from a real estate company or realtor in OC.
- This can be in any media format.
- The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.
L8: The Avant-Garde Award
The best of innovative advertising in OC, work that sets a new standard, challenges the norm, or amazes with a huge “WOW” factor.
- This can be in any media format.
- The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.
L9: The Influencer Award
The best of working with a creator/influencer to spread a brand message through public sharing, commenting and expressions of opinions and content.
- This can be in any media format.
- The advertising must be for an Orange County based business or the influencer must primarily reside in Orange County.
L10: The Extreme Makeover Award
The best of rebranding created in OC.
- This can be in any media format.
L11: The Graveyard
The best ideas that the client didn’t greenlight created in OC.
- This can be in any media format.
L12: The Non-Profit
The best creative in both small and large non-profit work.
- This can be in any media format.
- The advertising must be for an Orange County based business.